Wound Healing in Dogs and Cats: Vet-Approved Stages, Tips & First Aid for 2025 🩹🐾

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, Ask A Vet Blog
Published: July 7, 2025

Scrapes, cuts, punctures—wounds are a part of life for pets just like they are for us. 🐶🐱 The good news? Your pet's body is built to heal. With proper care, even serious wounds can recover beautifully.

This guide explains how wounds heal, how you can support recovery, and when it's time to call your vet. 🩺

🧬 The 4 Stages of Wound Healing

1. Inflammation (Immediate): Blood clots form, blood vessels tighten, and immune cells rush in to clean up bacteria and debris.
2. Debridement (Hours Later): Pus forms as immune cells break down and remove dead tissue—this is cleansing in action.
3. Repair (Days Later): New collagen and blood vessels grow, granulation tissue forms, and the wound begins to shrink.
4. Maturation (Weeks–Months): Scar tissue forms and strengthens over time. Final tissue is ~80% as strong as original skin.

🩹 Primary vs. Secondary Intention Healing

🔹 Primary Intention (Surgical Incision)

• 🪡 Wound edges are held together with sutures
• 💨 Healing is fast—usually 10–14 days
• 📏 Length doesn’t matter—wounds heal across, not down

🔹 Secondary Intention (Open Wounds)

• 🩺 Used when wounds are too large, dirty, or infected for suturing
• 🌟 Granulation tissue fills in the gap first
• 🔪 Later, the wound may be closed with surgery or skin grafts

❤️ Granulation Tissue: What You Need to Know

Granulation tissue is bright pink, moist, and easily bleeds. It means your pet is healing properly. It’s:

• 💧 Moist (promotes blood flow and healing)
• 🔴 Rich in blood vessels
• 😌 Not painful (nerves arrive late in the healing process)

🧰 How You Can Help Your Pet Heal

• 🔄 Drain pus pockets: Your vet may lance or drain abscesses before they burst
• 💦 Keep wounds moist: Use bandages or ointments as prescribed
• 🧼 Flush debris: Clean dirt, scabs, pus gently with water or saline (eye wash works great!)
• ✂️ Trim dead tissue: Non-viable skin may need surgical removal
• 💊 Use topicals wisely: Your vet may recommend healing creams or sprays

🚨 First Aid Tip:

If your pet gets a fresh wound, rinse with tap water or saline, cover loosely with a clean bandage, and head to the vet. Don’t apply hydrogen peroxide—it can damage healing cells. 🩹

⚠️ When to See the Vet

• ❌ Wound is not healing or reopens after improvement
• 📈 Redness, swelling, or pus increases
• 💥 Your pet seems in pain or is licking the area excessively
• 🔍 You suspect a tumor or foreign body inside the wound

📱 Ask A Vet Can Help

Not sure if your pet’s wound is healing properly? Need help choosing a topical product or deciding if it’s time for stitches?

📲 Download the Ask A Vet app to chat with licensed veterinarians about wound care, bandaging, and proper first aid from your phone. 🐾🩺

✅ Wound Care Summary

• ✔ Know the 4 stages: inflammation, debridement, repair, maturation
• ✔ Support healing with cleaning, drainage, and moisture
• ✔ Recognize healthy granulation tissue
• ✔ Watch for signs of infection or delayed healing
• ✔ Call your vet for abscesses, deep wounds, or ongoing problems

Wound healing takes time and teamwork—but your pet’s body is designed to recover. Support their healing journey with good care, a little patience, and expert guidance when needed. 🐶🐱🩹

Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for wound advice, product suggestions, and recovery support. 📱🩺